STUDIOS was selected by the City of San Jose to design the Evergreen Branch Library, part of a public bond-funded group of city branch libraries.

The architecture of the new one-story library—which is sited adjacent to a public park amid a largely residential area—conveys a distinct civic presence without disrupting the scale of neighboring structures. A pronounced canopy supported by a large concrete column marks the building’s entryway.

The latest releases in technology and literature are showcased in the library’s foyer. A warm, welcoming reading lounge—the “Living Room”— features two fireplaces and looks out onto a small sculpture garden.

Wood-slat ceilings bring warmth to the space. Clerestory windows provide diffused natural light, and help to articulate the library as an approachable community destination rather than a traditional “book fortress”.